October 4th marks yet another unusually busy day at the Vatican.
Instead of holding his typical Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis will preside over a Mass for the opening of the Synod at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Square. This Mass will bring together many members of the College of Cardinals as well as the participants of the Synod.
Around 4 p.m., the first General Congregation of the Synod will be held in the Paul VI Audience Hall. The over 360 participants will gather here to kickstart their nearly month-long series of meetings, discussions and prayer focused on moving forward as a Church.
But the day does not stop with these events. October 4th also marks the day that Pope Francis will release the second edition of his encyclical Laudato si', titled Laudate Deum.
This busy day—with the opening of the Synod and the release of a new encyclical—coincides with the feast day of the Pope's namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.
AT
